JP6944945B2 - Beverage machine with ergonomic service unit - Google Patents

Description

The field of the present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine provided with a service unit for recovering used raw material capsules.

For the purposes of this specification, "beverage" is intended to include any liquid food, such as tea, coffee, hot or cold chocolate, milk, soup, baby food. A "capsule" is a hermetic seal of any material, especially any shape and structure, including airtight packaging, such as plastic, aluminum, recyclable and / or biodegradable packaging, and soft pods or hard cartridges containing raw materials. Intended to include any pre-ported beverage in the packaging.

Beverage preparation machines are becoming very popular in the home or office. For example, there are machines for preparing beverages such as coffee, tea, soups, or other similar beverages, in which at least one ingredient of the desired beverage, eg, powdered coffee, is contained in a capsule. It is supplied into the capsule extraction chamber of the machine in the state of.

This raw material is typically extracted from a liquid source by a liquid such as water flowing through a capsule extraction chamber through a beverage preparation machine. From the extraction chamber, a liquid containing the extracted components is delivered to the user through the beverage outlet of the machine, eg, in a user's cup or a user's mug properly placed under the outlet during the beverage preparation process. Is sent to.

The use of capsules, such as plastic and / or aluminum-based capsules, to prepare beverages has many advantages. Capsules, especially aluminum-based capsules, are airtight or airtight and therefore effectively protect beverage ingredients over a long period of time against environments such as air, humidity, or light prior to use of the ingredients. Can be done.

Capsules are typically individually inserted from the capsule stack into the extraction chamber of the machine, either manually or automatically. Hot or cold water is then passed through the capsule to brew or extract the ingredients contained within the capsule to produce the desired beverage. The prepared beverage is fed through the outlet of the machine into a cup, mug, or receptor for other users.

Once extracted, the used capsules can be individually removed from the beverage preparation machine after each preparation cycle. Alternatively, the used capsules may be ejected to the machine's used capsule receptor and collected there.

Beverage preparation machines are conveniently equipped with a service unit for handling waste generated during the beverage preparation process. Waste includes waste raw materials (eg, encapsulated raw materials) and / or excess beverage delivered at the liquid or beverage outlet discharged from the liquid circuit between the liquid source and the beverage outlet (eg, the beverage outlet). Liquids such as (delivered in drop form at the end of the beverage preparation process) are included. For example, the service unit includes a user receiver support with a liquid discharge device such as a grid and a waste liquid recovery device with at least one of a waste raw material holding device. Typically, the user receiver support and / or the waste raw material holding device is a waste liquid so that the effluent can be discharged from the user receiver support and / or the waste raw material holding device to the waste liquid recovery device by gravity. Placed on top of the recovery device.

A service unit with a used capsule receptor is conveniently placed under the capsule chamber so that when extracted, the capsule can fall into this receptor by gravity. In the latter case, the user must empty the receptor when it is full. The receptor can be a removable receptor, typically located under the extraction chamber, within the beverage preparation machine. Beverage preparation machines typically have a seat for receiving such a service unit. Typically, the seat is located inside the housing of the machine and is configured to allow the service unit to slide in and out of the beverage preparation machine.

The service units of the beverage preparation machine are, for example, European Patent No. 1095605, 1731065, 1867260, International Publication No. 2009/013778, No. 2009/074559, No. 2009/135869, No. It is disclosed in 2011/086087 and 2011/086088.

Such a service unit is conveniently combined with an extraction unit configured to automatically eject all used capsules upon resumption, eg, European Patent Nos. 1095605, 1646305, 1757212. No. 1859713, 1859714, 2103236, 2119385, International Publication No. 2009/043630, and No. 2009/130999.

Such a service unit typically has a wall accessible from outside the machine when the service unit is in the operating position. In order to prevent unnecessary accumulation of moisture in the service unit and / or in the seat of the machine that receives the service unit, this outer wall is provided with a through opening for air flow, for example, international release. No. 2009/074559 (eg, FIG. 6).

Such openings are useful for allowing air flow, but also the passage of liquid spills from inside the service unit to outside the machine as a result of the ejection of capsules from the extraction chamber of the machine. It will be possible again.

It is also known that the outer wall of the service unit is a solid (non-perforated) wall in order to prevent such liquid spillage. However, such a configuration facilitates the accumulation of moisture in the service unit and in the seat.

Therefore, a preferred object of the present invention is to solve at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks associated with service units.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine comprising an extraction unit having a capsule chamber, an outlet and an actuator. The chamber is configured to contain raw material capsules during extraction to produce the beverage. The outlet is typically configured to deliver the produced beverage to the receiver mounting area, eg, to the receiver support or outer surface of the machine. The actuator performs extraction to open the capsule chamber and to optionally insert the capsule into the chamber before extraction, to remove the capsule from the chamber after extraction, and to the capsule in the chamber. Therefore, it is configured to close the capsule chamber.

The machine further includes a service unit, which is located below the extraction unit and forms a receptor with a recovery cavity with an opening, which opens the chamber and capsules. Is for recovering spills of capsules and residual liquid from the chamber through this opening when removing. The service unit has an upright wall that defines an outer surface accessible from the outside of the machine. The upright wall defines at least one through-passage to facilitate air flow from the inside of the cavity to the outside of the machine, which extends from the cavity to the outside of the machine.

The machine also comprises a foot that is placed on an external horizontal mounting surface such that the machine extends above the foot in an operating position where the beverage is delivered through an outlet.

For example, the machine is a coffee, tea, chocolate or soup preparation machine, such as a self-contained tabletop machine that can be electrically connected to an electrical outlet at home or in the office. Specifically, the machine allows hot or cold water or other liquids to pass through capsules containing raw materials for prepared beverages such as powdered coffee or tea, or chocolate, or cocoa, or milk powder. Is configured to prepare the beverage in the capsule chamber.

For example, the preparation machine comprises one or more of a liquid reservoir, a liquid flow circuit, a heater or cooler, a pump and an extractor configured to receive raw material capsules for extraction and eject the capsules after extraction. It includes a raw material processing apparatus and a housing having an opening leading into the service unit, in which capsules are discharged from the preparation unit to the service unit. Examples of such raw material processing equipment are disclosed in International Publication Nos. 2009/074550 and 2009/130099.

According to the present invention, when the machine is in the operating position on the external horizontal mounting surface, at least one through-passage is in a vertical cross section along the through-passage.
An intermediate axis that generally slopes upward along the gangway from the cavity to the outside of the machine,
It has a lower divider with the highest end and an upper divider with the lowest end, with the highest and lowest ends extending from the cavity to the outside of the machine.
Above or by an angle of less than 90 degrees, such as less than 60 degrees (eg, less than 45 degrees), with respect to the external horizontal mounting surface.
A linear axis that is inclined downward by an angle of less than 50 degrees, such as less than 45 degrees (for example, less than 30 degrees), is defined with respect to the external horizontal mounting surface.

Thereby, when the capsule chamber is opened and the capsule is removed, the spill of residual liquid from the chamber is prevented from spilling out of the machine through at least one through-passage through an upright wall.

Therefore, the orientation of the through-opening of the wall bent away from the direction of the spill to prevent the spill of liquid from passing through the through-passage prevents the spill of liquid through the upright wall of the service unit. be able to.

For example, through-passages are undulating, such as straight passages, curved passages or partially curved passages (eg, blind or visible passages), or V-shaped or inverted V-shaped passages. It consists of passages (for example, passages with no visibility or passages with visibility).

The upright wall can have an inner surface that defines the cavity, and at least one gangway has an outer opening on the outer surface and an inner opening on the inner surface.

The at least one gangway can generally form a circular or regular polygonal opening in a cross section parallel to the outer surface.

The at least one gangway is generally a slit extending substantially across an upright wall, eg, forming a slit extending substantially horizontally across the upright wall or extending at an acute angle with respect to the upright direction of the upright wall. be able to.

The upright wall can define a plurality of passages, each of which forms one of at least one of the above-mentioned gangways.

The passages can form a regular matrix or mesh array over substantially the entire outer surface.

The passages can form a single linear array over the outer surface, eg, substantially the entire outer surface.

The cavity can be made visible to the user through an upright wall to monitor the filling level of the cavity. For example, upstanding wall is made of a transparent or translucent material, or wall through passage of you from the outside of the machine visible cavities.

The cavity of the service unit has a bottom that defines multiple bottom through-passages to allow spills of liquid to pass from the chamber to the decay or retention chamber when the chamber is opened and the capsule is removed. It can prevent the liquid from turning at the bottom and spilling out of the machine through an upright wall. Optionally, the bottom has a lattice or mesh structure. For example, the bottom comprises at least 5 (1 example, at least 10 or 15) such bottom through-passages. The damping or holding chamber is formed below the cavity at the bottom of the service unit and can be defined by the bottom bottom.

The machine can define the seat. The service unit is housed in the seat and can be made removable from the seat for service, eg, to empty the service unit. The seat can have an opening, and when the service unit is housed within the seat, an upright wall extends across the opening. For example, the outer surface is approximately flush with the outer housing of the machine.

In order to avoid clogging of the service unit, in particular due to clogging by used capsules, the service unit incorporates a clogging prevention system, for example, as disclosed in WO 2009/074559, 2009/135869. be able to.

The extraction unit can have a first portion defining the capsule chamber and a second portion for closing and opening the capsule chamber. The first and second parts can be relatively movable by actuators to close and then open the capsule chamber.

Actuators can include motors and / or handles.

The machine can have at least one cup support for supporting a receiver such as a cup or mug under the outlet, the cup support comprising a stationary or movable structure and is movable. The structure is movable between a use deployment position to support a short receiver under the outlet and an unused folding position to place a tall receiver under the exit. .. For example, the structure includes a mounting surface for the receiver, which is used, for example, to center the receiver under the outlet when the mounting surface is exposed to vibration. , Recessed downwards, eg slightly curved. Such vibrations can be caused by the vibrating pump of the machine, for example a reciprocating pump.

The machine can typically include a tank for supplying water or another liquid for producing a beverage, such as a tank of the machine located on the opposite side of the upright wall.

Here, the present invention will be described with reference to a schematic diagram.

FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage preparation machine having an extraction unit according to the present invention and a seat for accommodating a service unit. It is a perspective view of the service unit of the machine of FIG. It is sectional drawing side view of the service unit which includes the schematic drawing which showed the extraction unit and the seat part of the machine of FIG. 1 by a dotted line. It is an enlarged view of the upper left part of the service unit shown in FIG. 3 for showing the through-passage of a service unit. FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of another embodiment of a beverage preparation machine having an extraction unit according to the present invention and a seat for accommodating a service unit. It is a perspective view of the service unit of the machine of FIG. It is sectional drawing side view of the service unit of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the upper left part of the service unit shown in FIG. 6 for showing the through-passage of a service unit. A further embodiment of a service unit gangway for a machine according to the present invention. Another embodiment of a service unit gangway for a machine according to the present invention. It is schematically shown that the receiver is filled with the beverage from the machine according to the present invention.

1 and 4 show an example of the beverage preparation machine 1 according to the present invention.

Machine 1 includes an extraction unit 20 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) having a capsule chamber 21, an outlet 22, and an actuator 23. The capsule chamber 21 is configured to contain the raw material capsule 2 while extracting the raw material capsule 2 to produce the beverage 6. The outlet 21 is configured to deliver the produced beverage 6 onto the receiver mounting surfaces 41, 51 (FIG. 9). The actuator 23 is
To open the capsule chamber 21 to remove the capsule 2 from the capsule chamber 21 after extraction (FIG. 3) and, optionally, to insert the capsule 2 into the capsule chamber 21 prior to extraction, and to capsule. The capsule chamber 21 is configured to be closed in order to extract the capsule 2 in the chamber 21 (FIGS. 1 and 4).

Each machine 1 includes a service unit 10 (FIGS. 1-8), which service unit 10 is located below the extraction unit 20 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) and has an opening 12 for recovery. A receptor having a cavity 11 is formed, and when the capsule chamber 21 is opened and the capsule 2 is removed (FIG. 3), the recovery cavity 11 is connected to the capsule 2 and the capsule 2 from the capsule chamber 21 through the opening 12. This is for recovering the spill 3 of the residual liquid. The service unit 10 has an upright wall 130 that defines an outer surface 13 accessible from the outside of the machine 1. The upright wall 130 defines at least one gangway 131 to facilitate the flow of air from the inside of the cavity 11 to the outside of the machine 1. The gangway 131 extends from the cavity 11 to the outside of the machine 1.

Further, each machine 1 has a foot portion 1'(FIGS. 1 and 4), and the foot portion 1'is a foot portion 1'at a position in which the machine 1 delivers the beverage 6 through the outlet 22. It is placed on an external horizontal mounting surface so that it extends upward.

When any one of the machines 1 (FIGS. 1 and 4) is in the operating position on the external horizontal mounting surface, the through-passage 131 is along the through-passage 131 (FIGS. 3a, 6a, 7 and 8). In the vertical section
An intermediate axis 131'that generally slopes upwards generally along the gangway 131 from the cavity 11 to the outside of the machine 1, which is, for example, undulating (FIGS. 3a, 7 and 8) and undulating. No (FIG. 6a) and / or at least partially curved, the middle axis 131 and / or the lower divider 132 with the highest end 132'and the upper divider 133 with the lowest end 133'. The highest end 132'and the lowest end 133'are located outside the machine 1 from the cavity 11.
An angle α of less than 90 degrees, such as less than 60 degrees (for example, less than 45 degrees), or above the external horizontal mounting surface.
A linear axis 134 that is inclined downward by an angle α of less than 50 degrees, such as less than 45 degrees (for example, less than 30 degrees), is defined with respect to the external horizontal mounting surface.

As a result, when the capsule chamber 21 is opened and the capsule 2 is removed, the residual liquid spill 3 from the capsule chamber 21 passes through the through-passage 131 to the outside of the machine 1 through the upright wall (FIG. 3). Spilling 3'is blocked.

For example, the through passage 131 may be a straight passage (FIG. 6a), a curved passage or a partially curved passage (eg, a passage with no visibility or a passage with visibility), or a V-shaped passage (FIG. 7). Rough passages (FIGS. 3a, 7 and 8) such as inverted V-shaped passages (FIGS. 3a and 8) (eg, blind passages (FIGS. 7 and 8) or clear passages (FIG. 3a). ) Consists of.

The upright wall 130 can have an inner surface 13'defining the cavity 11. The gangway 131 may have an outer opening on the outer surface 13 and an inner opening on the inner side surface 13'(FIGS. 3a, 6a, 7 and 8).

The gangway 131 can generally form a circular or regular polygonal opening 131a in a cross section parallel to the outer surface 13 (FIG. 5).

The gangway 131 is generally a slit extending substantially across the upright wall 130 (FIG. 2), eg, extending substantially horizontally across the upright wall 130 or at an acute angle with respect to the upright direction of the upright wall 130. An extending slit 131b can be formed.

The upright wall 130 can define a plurality of passages 131, each of which is the type of gangway 131 (FIGS. 2 and 5).

The passage 131 can form a regular matrix or mesh arrangement over substantially the entire outer surface 13 (FIG. 5).

The passage 131 can form a single linear array (eg, forming a pillar consisting of a plurality of passages) over the outer surface, eg, substantially the entire outer surface 13 (FIG. 2).

The cavity 11 can be made visible to the user through the upright wall 130 to monitor the filling level of the cavity 11. For example, the upright wall 130 is made of a transparent material or a translucent material (FIGS. 7 and 8), through passages 131 or wall 130 you from the outside of the machine 1 visible cavity 11 (FIG. 3a, 5 and 6a ).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 (also applicable to the machine 1 of FIG. 4), the cavity 11 of the service unit 10 spills liquid when the capsule chamber 21 is opened to remove the capsule 2. It can have a bottom 14 defining a plurality of bottom through passages 140 to allow 4 to pass from the capsule chamber 21 to the damping or holding chamber 11', and the liquid turns at the bottom 14 to an upright wall. It is possible to prevent 4'from spilling to the outside of the machine 1 via 130. Typically, the bottom 14 has a lattice or mesh structure. For example, at least 5 such bottom through-passages 140 (eg, at least 10 or 15 in one example) are provided at the bottom 14. The damping or holding chamber 11'is formed below the cavity 11 at the bottom of the service unit 10 and can be defined by a bottom bottom 14'(FIGS. 3 and 6).

Each machine 1 can define a seat 30 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4). The service unit 10 is housed in the seat 30 and is removable from the seat 30 for service, eg, to empty the service unit 10. The seat 30 can have an opening 31, and when the service unit 10 is housed in the seat 30 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4), an upright wall 130 extends across the opening 31. For example, the outer surface 13 is substantially flush with the outer housing 1 ″ (FIGS. 1 and 4) of the machine 1.

The extraction unit 20 can have a first portion 24 defining the capsule chamber 21 and a second portion 25 for closing and opening the capsule chamber 21 (FIG. 3). The first and second portions 24, 25 can be relatively movable by actuators 23 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) to close and then open the capsule chamber 21.

The actuator 23 may include a motor and / or a handle 23.

Each machine 1 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 9) may have at least one cup support 40, 50 for supporting a receiver 5 such as a cup or mug under the outlet 22. The cup supports 40, 50 may be a stationary structure 50 or a movable structure 40, which is a deployment position under the outlet 22 for supporting a short receiver. , Movable to and from an unused folding position for placing a tall receiver under the exit 22 (FIGS. 1 and 4). For example, the structures 40, 50 have mounting surfaces 41, 51 for the receiver 5, which mounting surfaces 41, 51, for example, when the mounting surfaces 41, 51 are exposed to vibration (for example, when the mounting surfaces 41, 51 are exposed to vibration ( In FIG. 9), the receiver 5 is recessed downward, eg, slightly curved, to centrally position it under the outlet 22. Such vibrations can be caused by the vibrating pump of Machine 1, for example a reciprocating pump.

Each machine can include a tank 60, such as a tank, which is arranged on the side of the machine 1 opposite to the upright wall 130.

Claims (15)

A beverage preparation machine (1) including an extraction unit (20), a service unit (10), and a foot (1').
The extraction unit (20) has a capsule chamber (21), an outlet (22), and an actuator (23), and the capsule chamber is a raw material while extraction is performed to produce a beverage (6). It is configured to contain the capsule (2) and the outlet (22) is configured to deliver the produced beverage (6).
The actuator (23)
The capsule chamber to remove the capsule (2) from the capsule chamber (21) after extraction and, optionally, to insert the capsule (2) into the capsule chamber (21) prior to extraction. It is configured to open (21) and
The capsule chamber (21) is configured to be closed in order to extract the capsule (2) in the capsule chamber (21).
The service unit (10) forms a receiver having a recovery cavity (11) with an opening (12) located under the extraction unit (20), and the recovery cavity (11). When the capsule chamber (21) is opened to remove the capsule (2), the capsule (2) and the residual liquid spill (3) from the capsule chamber (21) through the opening. The service unit (10) has an upright wall (130) that defines an outer surface (13) accessible from the outside of the machine (1), and the upright wall (130) is the cavity. At least one through-passage (131) for promoting air flow from the inside of (11) to the outside of the machine (1) is defined, and the through-passage (131) is from the cavity (11). It extends to the outside of the machine (1) and extends to the outside.
The foot (1') extends above the foot (1') so that the machine (1) extends above the foot (1') at an operating position where the beverage (6) is delivered through the outlet (22). In a beverage preparation machine placed on an external horizontal mounting surface
When the machine (1) is in the operating position on the external horizontal mounting surface, the at least one gangway (131) is in a vertical cross section along the gangway (131).
An intermediate axis (131') generally inclined upward along the gangway (131) from the cavity (11) to the outside of the machine (1), and / or.
It has a lower divider (132) with the highest end (132') and an upper divider (133) with the lowest end (133').
The highest end (132') and the lowest end (133') extend from the cavity (11) to the outside of the machine (1).
An angle (α) of less than 90 degrees, such as less than 60 degrees (for example, less than 45 degrees), or an angle (α) with respect to the external horizontal mounting surface.
Below the external horizontal mounting surface by an angle (α) of less than 50 degrees, such as less than 45 degrees (eg, less than 30 degrees).
It defines an inclined linear axis (134) and
Thereby, when the capsule chamber (21) is opened and the capsule (2) is removed, the spill (3) of the residual liquid from the capsule chamber (21) becomes the at least one through-passage (131). A beverage preparation machine, characterized in that spilling (3') to the outside of the machine (1) through the upright wall (130) is prevented. The through passage (131) is a broken passage such as a straight passage, a curved passage or a partially curved passage (for example, a passage with no visibility or a passage with a visibility), or a V-shaped passage or an inverted V-shaped passage. The machine according to claim 1, which comprises a passage (for example, a passage with no visibility or a passage with visibility). The upright wall (130) has an inner surface (13') defining the cavity (11), and the at least one gangway (131) has an outer opening on the outer surface (13). The machine according to claim 1 or 2, which has an internal opening on the inner surface (13'). Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one gangway (131) generally forms a circular or regular polygonal opening (131a) in a cross section parallel to the outer surface (13). The machine described in the section. The at least one gangway (131) is generally a slit (131b) extending substantially across the upright wall (130), eg, extending substantially horizontally across the upright wall or the upright wall. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a slit (131b) extending at an acute angle with respect to the upright direction of the machine is formed. The upright wall (130) defines a plurality of passages (131), each of which forms one of the at least one gangway (131). The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The machine of claim 6, wherein the plurality of passages (131) form a regular matrix or mesh array substantially throughout the outer surface (13), in particular quoting claim 4. The plurality of passages (131) form a single linear array over the outer surface (13), eg, substantially throughout the outer surface (13), particularly claim 5. , The machine according to claim 6. The cavity (11) is visible to the user through the upright wall (130) to monitor the filling level of the cavity (11), and optionally the upright wall (130) is a transparent material or translucent. is made of a material, or the through-passage of said wall (131) is visible to said cavity (11) from the outside of the machine (1), according to any one of請Motomeko 1-8 Machine of. In the cavity (11) of the service unit (10), a liquid spill (4) is attenuated from the capsule chamber (21) when the capsule chamber (21) is opened to remove the capsule (2). Alternatively, a bottom (14) defining a plurality of bottom through-passages (140), such as at least 5 (at least 10 or 15 in one example), to allow passage to the holding chamber (11'). To prevent the liquid from spilling (4') out of the machine (1) through the upright wall (130) by turning around at the bottom (14) and optionally dampening or Any one of claims 1-9, the holding chamber (11') is formed below the cavity (11) at the bottom of the service unit (10) and is defined by a bottom bottom (14'). The machine described in. The machine (1) defines a seat (30), the service unit (10) is housed in the seat (30), and for service, for example, the service unit (10). Detachable from the seat to empty, optionally, when the seat (30) has an opening (31) and the service unit (10) is housed in the seat. The upright wall (130) extends across the opening (31), for example, the outer surface (13) is substantially flush with the outer housing (1 ″) of the machine (1). , The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The extraction unit (20) has a first portion (24) defining the capsule chamber (21) and a second portion (25) for closing and opening the capsule chamber (21). The first portion and the second portion (24, 25) are relatively movable by the actuator (23) in order to close and then open the capsule chamber (21). Item 1. The machine according to any one of Items 1 to 11. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the actuator (23) includes a motor and / or a handle. The machine has at least one cup support (40, 50) for supporting a receiver (5) such as a cup or mug under the outlet (22), the cup support having a stationary structure. It comprises a body (50) or a movable structure (40), wherein the movable structure (40) has a deployment position for supporting a short receiver under the outlet (22). It is movable to and from an unused folding position for placing a tall receiver under the outlet (22), and optionally the structure (40, 50) is the receiver (5). The mounting surface (41, 51) for the above-mentioned mounting surface (41, 51) is, for example, the previously described mounting surface (41, 51) is a vibration pump of the machine (1), for example, reciprocating. Claims 1-13, which are recessed downwards, eg, slightly curved, to centrally position the receiver under said outlet (22) when exposed to vibrations caused by the pump. The machine described in any one of the items. The machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a tank (60) such as a tank arranged on the side of the machine (1) opposite to the upright wall (130). Machine of.

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